His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 393

Chapter 393 Business Lunch

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“Life just forces you to pinch pennies sometimes. What can you do?”

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The assistant scanned the menu one more time. “Let’s add the roasted pork knuckle to the list, then.”

The waiter cleared his throat and interjected, “You’ve already selected six meat dishes. Our lobster is excellent today, and we also have fresh grouper…”

Griffin waved his hand with an air of extravagant generosity. “Order them. We’ll take everything.” He paused, looking at the server. “And something to drink?” He started to say, “A bottle of…”

Brandon cut him off immediately. “No alcohol.”

Zoe glanced at Brandon, looking both confused and uncertain. In her experience, high–profile executives always insisted on fine liquor with their meals. Without a good bottle of wine, the entire meal felt incomplete, almost like a wasted opportunity.

Griffin was a bit thrown off balance by the refusal, but he quickly adapted. “Then forget the alcohol. No wine.”

Sensing Zoe’s confusion, the assistant leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Mr. Whitmore really can’t hold his liquor. Two drinks and he’s tipsy. He’s been accidentally intoxicated more times this month than he’d care to admit.”

A heavy weight settled in Zoe’s chest. She closed the menu with a snap and handed it back to the waiter.

Realizing that Brandon wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to his rambling, Griffin decided to pivot the conversation toward Zoe.

“Ms. Ellison, you need to help me host Mr. Whitmore properly. Come on now, use your juice as a substitute for wine. Give him a toast right now.”

Brandon had always detested the performative, forced nature of corporate drinking culture. “No, really, there’s no need for that. Let’s just eat normally. I don’t care for all that fake posturing.”

Zoe had just lifted her delicate porcelain cup, but awkwardly set it back down when he spoke. She worked in R&D; she wasn’t good at this kind of social maneuvering. This entire lunch was making her feel nervous and completely out of her depth.

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15:31 Thu, Jun 25

Chapter 393 Business Lunch

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Zoe looked up at Griffin and saw him frantically gesturing at her, nodding pointedly toward Brandon, silently demanding she pick up her cup. She felt an overwhelming sense of exhaustion within.

Turning a simple meal into such a calculated business transaction was truly draining. Steeling herself, she picked up her cup again and held it out toward Brandon. Her expression was serious and sincere, as if she were making a solemn vow to a brother.

“Mr. Whitmore, using juice for wine, here’s to you.”

Brandon gazed at her earnest, adorable expression. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, his eyes filled with undisguised affection. “Alright.”

He rarely got to see this side of Zoe. His sister had told him that Zoe was a genuinely fun person when she was off the clock.

Perhaps she just kept her professional life strictly separate. In this setting, she was putting on a forced, accommodating act. Yet, he remembered that in private, she often seemed cold and distant.

Brandon picked up his own cup, clinked it gently against hers, held her gaze with a deep, lingering intensity, and slowly drank the water.

Zoe looked down, quickly drank her juice, and set the cup down, letting out a long, heavy breath. Anyone could see how uncomfortable she was.

When the food began arriving at the table, Griffin looked at the spread of hearty, unpretentious dishes and couldn’t help frowning.

Braised goose, roast duck, poached chicken, braised pork ribs, braised pork belly, the pork knuckle, and sliced beef with broccoli.

Thankfully, he had taken the waiter’s suggestion and added the expensive lobster and the coral

trout.

Griffin couldn’t stop himself from complaining. “Ms. Ellison, I went to all the trouble of arranging a meal for Mr. Whitmore, and you didn’t order a single expensive dish…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Brandon interrupted him directly. “The dishes Ms. Ellison ordered suit my taste perfectly. I really like them.”

Griffin immediately pivoted to a flattering tone. “I was wrong to blame Ms. Ellison. As long as Mr. Whitmore is happy, that is what matters most.”

Griffin picked up the serving fork and placed a generous portion of meat onto Brandon’s plate.

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Chapter 393 Business Lunch

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Brandon ate quietly, his manners elegant and precise.

នគ

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Zoe turned her head and secretly admired his handsome profile. Her heart fluttered for no clear reason.

He really was Iris‘ brother. He was even warmer than Iris.

Back when she first became roommates with Iris, without even realizing it, she had found herself drawn to Iris. Eventually, she realized she truly loved being around her.

Even when they did nothing together–just sat quietly in the library reading–Zoe felt a sense of contentment.

That kind of friendship, to her, felt deeper than romance. And now, she was afraid that if she spent too much time with Brandon, she would end up feeling that same inescapable attachment.

After lunch, afraid that time was running out, Griffin brought the topic back around.

“Mr. Whitmore, about the patent infringement regarding the generic drug–I assume you’re already aware. Our company really wants to settle this out of court. I hope you can give us a chance, for Ms. Ellison’s sake. Whatever compensation you want, sir, just name your price.”

Hearing that, Zoe looked nervously at Brandon. She knew Iris very well. If it were her best friend, she would never bend on a matter of principle.

But she didn’t know Brandon. She didn’t know what kind of man he really was.

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